SRINAGAR, July 23, 2025:Kashmir’s world-renowned handicrafts sector has recorded an impressive upswing in performance, with exports touching ₹309.62 crore in the first quarter of the current financial year (April–June 2025). This marks a substantial rise from ₹126.90 crore during the same period last year—reflecting a growth of over 143%.
This surge in export value is being celebrated as a milestone achievement, showcasing the global appreciation for Kashmir’s handmade and traditional crafts, while reinforcing the economic backbone of thousands of skilled artisans across the Valley.
Traditional Crafts Back in Demand
Kashmir’s key exports include Pashmina shawls, hand-knotted carpets, Sozni embroidery, papier-mâché, chain-stitch rugs, wood carving, and crewel work. The revival of interest in these crafts, particularly in Western and Middle Eastern markets, is being seen as a sign of increasing demand for authentic, sustainable, and artisanal products worldwide.
Government Support Fuels Growth
Officials attribute the sector’s growth to focused government interventions under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The Export Subsidy Scheme, which offers a 10% incentive on Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products with a cap of ₹5 crore per exporter, has helped local businesses scale up production and meet export quality standards.
The government has also urged exporters to collaborate with institutions like the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) and the Craft Development Institute (CDI) to modernize designs and improve market competitiveness.
Artisans at the Heart of Success
This growth is being hailed as a moment of pride for the artisan community. With more than two lakh individuals directly or indirectly associated with the handicrafts sector, this resurgence is improving livelihoods and reviving traditional knowledge systems.
Many artisans, who had shifted to alternate occupations due to declining demand in the past, are now returning to their family trades, hopeful about the renewed international interest in Kashmir’s centuries-old crafts.
Export Target Set at ₹1,500 Crore for FY 2025–26
Buoyed by the Q1 performance, the J&K Handicrafts and Handloom Department has set a target of ₹1,500 crore in total exports for the full financial year. Officials believe that, provided geopolitical conditions remain favorable, the sector could surpass this benchmark and achieve its highest-ever annual performance.
